What Amazon Seeks In An MBA Hire

What kinds of skills does Amazon anticipate needing in the coming years that you may not possess enough of now (Languages, Technical Skills, etc.)?

What we really look for in our talent pool to possess are analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities. We find that MBAs are particularly excellent at this. Another is language. We have openings across the world, so we’re always looking for MBAs with native language proficiencies as well as English. It’s such a wonderful combination and we always need more of that.

For example, in our AWS business, we seek technical product managers. MBA candidates for this position must be wicked smart, and also technically conversant. A technical product manager drives ideas from conception to execution, developing business models, marketing plans, success metrics and literally owns the product from end-to-end.

What advice would you give to students who have their hearts set on working for you? How can they enhance their job prospects?

Both in understanding if Amazon is a fit and in showcasing that fit, it is important to learn about Amazon, [particularly] our culture and our leadership principles. Think about how you can demonstrate those skills.

Get to know our culture and our leadership principles and translate that to your experiences and what you’d bring to the company. We’re really driven on what I call analytical thinking, which means that an employee or candidate really needs to be able to dive in and understand what is driving something or the assumptions around that. This provides the context to give options, alternatives, and tradeoffs. Amazonians at all levels understand and stay connected to the details.

Recruiting can be a two-way street. What has Amazon done to make itself more appealing to MBA candidates? (i.e. new initiatives being rolled out)

Employee dog in the Seattle office (Hundreds of Amazon employees in Seattle bring their dogs in every day)

First of all, we give MBA candidates a really robust experience where they can jump in and take ownership on projects that are large in scale and have a big impact.

At Amazon, we have former MBA hires at the most senior levels of the company. And the individuals who come in as MBA hires are driving things every day. They have major responsibilities and have made a huge difference to our outcomes. MBAs are quite often placed on the highest priority projects, often in the launch and rollout where there may be a very fast deadline and doing something that is very customer-related. One example involving MBA hires was our AmazonFresh program – same-day and early morning delivery for thousands of Amazon items, fresh grocery and local products. Launching AmazonFresh required a lot of critical thinking and was rolled out to hundreds of thousands of customers. For this project, an MBA graduate led the program management of expanding the operational footprint to new cities.

If an MBA was weighing an offer from Amazon and another firm, what would give you the edge?

Let me take the perspective of a prospective MBA. When we talk to MBAs, they often come wondering how much responsibility they will get from day one. Amazon operates as a company that is made up of several startups. [MBAs] are truly owning what they are responsible for. If you think about Amazon, as an MBA, the thing that you’ll learn is driving things at scale. And you’ll be working on what has never been solved anywhere before.

Could you give us an overview of your MBA recruiting and interview process? What are the steps that students should expect? How can they make a good impression and stay on your radar?

The process varies somewhat based on how we come to know a candidate, but consists of behavioral questions and case questions. Our leadership principles inform everything we do, so we also have our candidates talk about their experience in context of the leadership principles.

What types of onboarding, training and ongoing support do you provide to incoming MBAs?

One of the great things about the MBAs is that they generally come in as a cohort, so they get support and instruction from their peers.

Our MBAs go through an onboarding process. And every MBA starts with a launch plan – sitting down with colleagues to talk through their new position and relevant stakeholders.

What’s marvelous about MBAs is that they are very driven, motivated, and curious. They’re able to dive right in so they’re quick to actually use those skills to get acclimated. The role the MBA steps into also determines their ongoing training, be it on-the-job experiential learning, or structured training modules.

When it comes to Amazon, what are some of the biggest misconceptions that students may have about your organization (and your industry)?

Amazon has so many opportunities to solve problems on behalf of our customers. With those opportunities come more than enough work. For those who are driven and passionate about accomplishing these things for our customers, they are the people who do the best in business and are most successful in our environment.

Interesting that you say that Jimmy White. We had roughly 50 or so people get invited to the first round of recruitment with Amazon. The select few that made it through the second round and eventually got offers (in addition to myself) were all the types of people that I enjoy hanging out with at bars. I was very pleasantly surprised with who they selected.

CPO_C_Ryback

Ditto. Good luck, pal.

Future Amazonian

It’s pretty solid, It’s not quite banking or top teir consulting money, but on the higher end for tech and corp jobs. If you’re recruiting for non consulting and banking, you’ll be very happy with their offer.

Future Amazonian

… You started by asking about the culture, and then answer as if you’re an expert… Ok? I’m done with this convo…

CPO_C_Ryback

I hear, OK, not great.

CPO_C_Ryback

He probably saw folks, working like dogs, and a chance at promotion @ 0.01%.

CPO_C_Ryback

Sure. Prove 1,000s wrong. Can’t wait.

Future Amazonian

No one coming out of an MBA program expects to work 40h weeks. But, depending on the team, it’s possible 50 = 60. I wont know for sure until I start though…. I’m just trying to ensure that the only comments out there aren’t soley hearsay from jaded ex-employees

CPO_C_Ryback

Anyone who thinks 40 will get the same treatment as 60, needs a sanity check. Now. Today.

guest11

What didn’t he like about the culture?

Future Amazonian

I’ve heard its a bit of a mixed bag. First, if you go in as an engineer/CS or a PMT, i think the likelihood is much higher. Opps can be a tough schedule, but you know what your signing on for. When it comes to RLD, PM, and Finance I hear it fully depends on the team.

What I’ve been told is there will always be more work to do, but face-time doesn’t matter. At the end of the day it will be your call if you want to work 45, 50, 60 or more… So all in all, you have to set your expectations pretty early on, and not feel like you have to work 60. This come from past interns and current employees. I’m not sure how accurate it is, but the people I spoke to have no reason to lie.

randommer

know a Harvard MBA who worked there over the summer. His review was that the prevailing opinion about burn out shop was true. He also did not really like the culture. He is smart, sweet non socially awkward guy. He said he did learn a ton though.

guest11

what’s starting pay at Amazon for new MBA grads?

vanaporn chonburi

carry on.. happy for you..

Mike

Jimmy, What roles did amazon hire from your program? Do they hire for corporate finance?

CPO_C_Ryback

AMZN had a reputation of being a “burn-out” shop for everyone. Still the same? Anyone know?

Future Amazonian

I am not an international student, not am I socially awkward. They do have their type, and I’m happy to be one of them.

Jimmy White

Amazon took the most socially awkward international kids from our program for the past couple of years. They certainly have their “type”